'Just wanted to know, not blaming anyone' - Jalaj Saxena questions South Zone selection committee after not being picked for Duleep Trophy 2023

Image Source- Twitter

Despite being the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 season, Madhya Pradesh spinner Jalaj Saxena has been overlooked for the Duleep Trophy.

He turned to Twitter on Saturday, after being rebuffed by the selection committee, to protest his omission from the squad despite being the greatest wicket-taker.

Just wanted to know. Not blaming anyone: Jalaj Saxena

He wrote on Twitter, "Highest wicket-taker in Ranji trophy in India (Elite Group) didn't get picked in Duleep trophy. Can you please check whether it has ever happened in Indian Domestic history? Just wanted to know. Not blaming anyone."

The all-rounder appeared in seven games for Kerala, taking 50 wickets at an average of 19.26 and a strike rate of 41.92. His economy rate was 2.75. His best bowling numbers in an innings were 8/36 and 11/102 in the contest. All of this, however, he was overlooked when his zonal squad for the Duleep Trophy was chosen.

Jalaj Saxena first class stats

The right-handed batter has appeared in 133 First-Class matches, scoring 6567 runs at an average of 34.74. In the format. He has 14 centuries and 32 fifties. His best score is 194. The off-spinner has 410 wickets to his name on the field. He has 28 five-wicket hauls to his name.

The South Zone selection for the Duleep Trophy 2023, which begins on June 28 in Bengaluru, has been called into question after numerous elite players were left out of the Hanuma Vihari-led squad. Apart from Jalaj, Tamil Nadu's Baba Indrajith was also overlooked, which irritated his state colleague and veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik.

The 38-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman backed Indrajith, who has been one of Tamil Nadu's most consistent performances in recent years. He turned to Twitter to express his displeasure at his absence, claiming that he does not understand the selection committee these days.

The South Zone squad includes KS Bharat, who was India's wicketkeeper-batsman in the World Test Championship 2023 final against Australia last week, as well as all-rounder Washington Sundar, who is now healthy after suffering an injury during the IPL 2023. Vihari's deputy will be opening batter Mayank Agarwal, who was the highest run-scorer in the Ranji Trophy 2022-23 season.